McConnell translates pole position into race win
MAP Raceways Yamaha rider Billy McConnell got his Fuchs-Silkolene British... MAP Raceways Yamaha rider Billy McConnell got his Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship off to the perfect start this weekend at Brands Hatch by taking pole position and the race win, giving him the fledgling championship lead.
He got off to a good start and led the race for the first four laps until a hard- riding Dan Linfoot came by. McConnell held second place right until the final lap when he made his definitive move on Linfoot as they tipped into Paddock Hill bend. He then put in an inch-perfect lap to take the chequered flag and the race win.
Team-mate, Lee Johnston, made a solid start in his debut Supersport race finishing in fifth place. He held onto fourth place up until lap 12 when he came under the scrutiny of the hugely-experienced Steve Plater who stole past him at Druids.
Allan Jon Venter, the third and final member of the MAP Raceways Yamaha team, suffered a DNF due to an electrical issue. However, the young South African had made a blinding start from 18th on the grid to battle it out in the top ten. He was nearing seventh place when he had to retire.
McConnell said:” That was unbelievable and a big relief to us and the team. Steve has put a lot of faith in me and I really wanted to repay him and the team. So pole position and the race win is a good start to the season. I knew where I was strong and it was when Steve Plater showed me his front wheel I knew I needed to make a pass. I got the slipstream and had a good run so on the last lap I just concentrated on my lines. I’m so happy that all our hard work has paid off and it is a credit to our sponsors and the team.”
Johnston said: “I got a good start and was in fourth but just couldn’t hold onto the leaders. I did hold my own until Plater came past me and I was quite pleased as I thought it would be good to follow him. He managed to pull a little gap and I wasn’t able to go with him, but for the first race I’m at the front so I’m pleased.”
Venter said: “I got a very good start and I could see the leaders. I was behind James Westmoreland and was hanging with him so all the changes we made on my suspension worked really well. I have to thank K-Tech for that. I was doing consistent 47-second laps when my bike started to slow and two laps later I had to pull in. I was on a good charge and I felt good plus my training has been paying off. I know the potential is there as my bike is awesome. Thanks to everyone especially MAP and Steve for making this happen. I’m now looking forward to Oulton Park as I’m determined to do well.”
Steve Rodgers, MAP Raceways Yamaha Team Manager, said: “We couldn’t have got things off to a better start. Billy in first, Lee in fifth and AJ chasing seventh until he had an electrical problem. We hope to build on things from here.”
The second round of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport championship will take place at Oulton Park in Cheshire on the 2nd – 4th May.
Race results
1. Billy McConnell MAP Raceways Yamaha 19:54.680
2. Steve Plater Honda +0.134
3. Dan Linfoot Yamaha +0.462
4. Hudson Kennaugh Yamaha +0.674
5. Lee Johnston MAP Raceways Yamaha +6.457
6. James Webb Honda +10.511
DNF. Allan Jon Venter MAP Raceways Yamaha +5 laps
Championship standing after round 1 of 12
1. Billy McConnell MAP Raceways Yamaha 25
2. Steve Plater Honda 20
3. Dan Linfoot Yamaha 16
4. Hudson Kennaugh Yamaha 13
5. Lee Johnston MAP Raceways Yamaha 11
He got off to a good start and led the race for the first four laps until a hard- riding Dan Linfoot came by. McConnell held second place right until the final lap when he made his definitive move on Linfoot as they tipped into Paddock Hill bend. He then put in an inch-perfect lap to take the chequered flag and the race win.
Team-mate, Lee Johnston, made a solid start in his debut Supersport race finishing in fifth place. He held onto fourth place up until lap 12 when he came under the scrutiny of the hugely-experienced Steve Plater who stole past him at Druids.
Allan Jon Venter, the third and final member of the MAP Raceways Yamaha team, suffered a DNF due to an electrical issue. However, the young South African had made a blinding start from 18th on the grid to battle it out in the top ten. He was nearing seventh place when he had to retire.
McConnell said:” That was unbelievable and a big relief to us and the team. Steve has put a lot of faith in me and I really wanted to repay him and the team. So pole position and the race win is a good start to the season. I knew where I was strong and it was when Steve Plater showed me his front wheel I knew I needed to make a pass. I got the slipstream and had a good run so on the last lap I just concentrated on my lines. I’m so happy that all our hard work has paid off and it is a credit to our sponsors and the team.”
Johnston said: “I got a good start and was in fourth but just couldn’t hold onto the leaders. I did hold my own until Plater came past me and I was quite pleased as I thought it would be good to follow him. He managed to pull a little gap and I wasn’t able to go with him, but for the first race I’m at the front so I’m pleased.”
Venter said: “I got a very good start and I could see the leaders. I was behind James Westmoreland and was hanging with him so all the changes we made on my suspension worked really well. I have to thank K-Tech for that. I was doing consistent 47-second laps when my bike started to slow and two laps later I had to pull in. I was on a good charge and I felt good plus my training has been paying off. I know the potential is there as my bike is awesome. Thanks to everyone especially MAP and Steve for making this happen. I’m now looking forward to Oulton Park as I’m determined to do well.”
Steve Rodgers, MAP Raceways Yamaha Team Manager, said: “We couldn’t have got things off to a better start. Billy in first, Lee in fifth and AJ chasing seventh until he had an electrical problem. We hope to build on things from here.”
The second round of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport championship will take place at Oulton Park in Cheshire on the 2nd – 4th May.
Race results
1. Billy McConnell MAP Raceways Yamaha 19:54.680
2. Steve Plater Honda +0.134
3. Dan Linfoot Yamaha +0.462
4. Hudson Kennaugh Yamaha +0.674
5. Lee Johnston MAP Raceways Yamaha +6.457
6. James Webb Honda +10.511
DNF. Allan Jon Venter MAP Raceways Yamaha +5 laps
Championship standing after round 1 of 12
1. Billy McConnell MAP Raceways Yamaha 25
2. Steve Plater Honda 20
3. Dan Linfoot Yamaha 16
4. Hudson Kennaugh Yamaha 13
5. Lee Johnston MAP Raceways Yamaha 11